Did You Know Gov. John Bel Edwards And The Louisiana Dept. Of Health Issued New Statewide Mask Guidelines?

Okay so, just in case y'all didn't know July 23, Gov. John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) issued updated mask guidance. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise statewide. So much so, Louisiana has been labeled as a “state of concern.” The state is seeing rapid growth in COVID cases and not enough in vaccinations and it's because of this that Gov. Edwards and LDH had issued updated mask guidance for the fourth time since the pandemic.

Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer warned that “We are in a very dangerous surge right now,” the doctor added “To ensure their own safety people in Louisiana should take precautions immediately. Masking and testing will limit death and suffering until we make it through this.” For everyone's safety, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, people are to wear masks when indoors and six feet of distancing is not physically possible. Gov. Edwards issued the following statement:

“The White House has notified Louisiana that we are a State of Concern because we are the leading edge of the COVID-19 surge, due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant among the unvaccinated in our state. Indeed, Louisiana leads the nation in case growth, with 47 cases per capita. This should come as no surprise to anyone who has watched our case counts and hospitalizations continue to climb, and it necessitates additional guidance for how all people should stay safe in Louisiana right now, including wearing masks indoors, when unable to maintain social distancing, testing after suspected exposure even if they are vaccinated and, if possible, working remotely from home to limit exposure to groups.”

Gov. Edwards continued. “Right now, Louisiana has the best tool it has ever had to fight this surge: the COVID-19 vaccines. Encouragingly, our weekly vaccination rate has bumped up which I believe means everyone knows how urgent the situation is. We need even more people in our state to go sleeves up and take the COVID-19 vaccine. Increased vaccinations, when coupled with more masking, testing and distance, can get us out of the fourth surge, but only if people take action quickly.”

Find the COVID vaccine near you and get vaccinated now. The COVID vaccine is FREE for everyone. There is no out-of-pocket expense for any people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status. If you are disabled or homebound you may be able to get the vaccine at home. For more details call your doctor, the Medicare hotline at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048,) 211, the Access Line (DIAL) 1-888-677-1199 or Eldercare Locator or 1-800-677-1116